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Birth of Democracy Synopsis

19th century Sardou period melodrama turned into a vehicle for diva star Lyda Borelli: an aristocratic French lady leaves her unfaithful husband and becomes involved with a member of Robespierre's revolutionary regime.

The Gorgona Synopsis

The action of this picture takes place in Pisa at the beginning of the XII century during the culmination of the Italian Sea republics, and commences exactly at the moment when the Pisan fleet starts with the allies to the conquest of the Balearic Islands in order to deliver the twenty thousand Christians from the Turkish yoke. Marcel Figuinaldo and his son, Lamberto, are sent by the City of Florence to command the army which is to guard Pisa while the Republican Navy is fighting in the Mediterranean Sea. But Lamberto, rather than remain inactive outside Pisa, prefers to sail and is eager to have the chief command of the fleet. He asks Henry "the Coscetto," who has been elected commander-in-chief of the navy, to relinquish his power and to pass it over to him. Naturally the "Coscetto" refuses to do so, and then Lamberto threatens him to take revenge by trying to make the Gorgona, Henry's betrothed, fall in love with him during Henry's absence. Henry sails, and Lamberto keeps his word. One night he leaves the barracks and enters Gorgona's home while the girl is alone, praying and keeping the sacred lamp burning. A charming love scene takes place between the two. Meanwhile Marcel, Lamberto's father, and commander-in-chief, strictly forbids the soldiers to leave the barracks and enter the City of Pisa, under pain of death. Lamberto having been discovered, is therefore, by his own father, sentenced to be beheaded. Before the appointed hour, Lamberto asks his father to let him go once more to bid farewell to Gorgona, under oath to come back before dawn. Marcel consents, but should Lamberto fail to return in time, he himself would have to die in his stead. The girl endeavors to prevent Lamberto from going back to the barracks and thus avoid meeting his fate. The time flies and daybreak finds Lamberto still there. Suddenly the news is spread that the victorious ships are in sight, and Marcel, amid the general excitement, enters Pisa to fetch the Gorgona and to escort her towards the victors, with the votive lamp. He finds the girl weeping and kneeling by Lamberto's body, the young man having killed himself to atone for his broken oath. Outside the crowd was still applauding the Gorgona and the victors.